Action on Obesity

The Sports Excellence Center (SE) of the 1st Orthopaedic Surgery Clinic of the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), which operates with the exclusive donation of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF), in addition to its contribution to elite sports (pre-national, national, and Olympic teams of all sports), implements the program “Therapeutic Exercise – Action on Obesity”, addressed to children, adolescents, and adults facing challenges in managing their body weight.

What is Obesity?

Obesity is a clinical condition caused by excessive accumulation of body fat that negatively affects an individual’s health. It is determined by calculating the Body Mass Index (BMI), derived from the ratio Weight/Height². A person is considered obese when their BMI exceeds the recommended thresholds for their age.

Possible comorbidities associated with obesity include cardiovascular diseases, type II diabetes, high cholesterol levels, hypertension, respiratory and orthopedic problems, early-onset cancer, premature mortality, and sarcopenia.
Moreover, psychological factors are often affected by obesity, such as low self-esteem or self-confidence, stigma, distorted body image, and an increased tendency toward depression.

The Benefits of Exercise

Exercise plays a crucial role in managing and potentially preventing obesity:

• Prevention: Exercise helps maintain optimal blood pressure and glucose levels, as well as a healthy lipid profile, reducing the predisposing risk factors that may lead to obesity.

• Improvement of Overall Health: Exercise strengthens the immune system, improves sleep quality, and reduces inflammation. It also lowers body fat, increases muscle mass, and decreases cholesterol and blood glucose levels. Furthermore, it enhances mood and psychological well-being.

Exercise Benefits in Obesity

• Physical Function: Regular exercise improves overall physical function and endurance, strength, flexibility, and balance.

• Cardiovascular Health: Exercise helps reduce the risk of cardiovascular complications related to both treatment and the disease itself.

• Mental Well-being: Exercise boosts mood and alleviates symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Purpose: Providing Personalized Exercise Programs for Individuals with Obesity

The goal is to offer a safe and effective exercise regimen for patients with obesity, as well as to educate them on the broader benefits of exercise in disease management. The program aims to enhance patients’ quality of life, improve their physical and mental well-being, and support medical treatment.

Prioritizing Participant Safety

All exercise sessions are conducted under continuous monitoring of participants’ vital signs to ensure adherence to the recommended exercise framework

Expected Outcomes for Participants

Participants are expected to improve their physical and mental condition, body composition, and various health biomarkers.
The exercise program is designed based on the latest scientific evidence.
Integrating exercise into the patient’s daily routine contributes to a better quality of life.

The strengths of the program include direct accessibility and the implementation of individualized therapeutic exercise methods.

Contact Phone: +30 695 5190 208
Contact Email: info@sportsexcellence.gr